Slideouts-engine running or not?

[seadogjim]

Hi,
How important is it to have the motorhome engine running when operating the slide outs? Some say you need the extra current of the engine alternator even if your batts are strong and fully charged. But, I've had shop techs say they run slides in/out all the time with only the ignition on but engine not running...?
My living room slide comes in rather slowly and seemingly reluctantly, but eventually makes it(so far!). I admit to usually operating the slides with only the ignition on and not starting the engine, can this damage the slide electric motor?
This is on a 2009 Bounder, 35E, Ford V-10.
Thanks,
Jim

[Mr_D]

Mine have all said to have the engine running or on shore power.

[TomandGloria]

My owners manual says engine runnng when deploying jacks and slides. Also, it says for engine to be running when you bring the slides in. I have always done it that way.

[Unplanned Tourist]

Good to have the engine running because it keeps the voltage up. Low voltage is bad for electric motors, causing more heat and wear. So, yes best to have engine running to keep the voltage up.

[TonyMac]

On my rig, the slides will not operate with the key in the on position, engine running or not. The key must be out of on; either off or acc. My slides run off the house batts. There should be guidance in your owners' manual.

[chinobob]

Same here. My 2015 must have the engine running for slides and jacks. Funny, sat won't go down with the engine running?

[gemert]

Engine has to be off for me to run slides in or out.

[nothermark]

Another engine off for the slide to work.

[bobmac]

I have a Winnebago and on most or all, the engine must be running. The reason - the slides are electric and powered by the chassis batteries. Running the engine insures the voltage is correct so the motors are not compromised and sufficient power is available for both the first and last slides operated. Knowing why the engine must be on then makes sense. Stowing the slides without starting the engine will - sooner or later - likely result in not having enough battery capacity to start the engine afterwards and drive away. Shore power is not an alternative to running the engine as the house charger really only charges the house batteries save for a small charge diverted thru the Trik-L-Start to the chassis batteries.

[biggcrisp]

Mine has to have the key on to move. I tried moving it without the engine running and got a low voltage alarm.

While at the REV factory service center the techs and service writer both said to always have the engine running. They went on to explain that the electric motors would cause a low voltage alarm without the engine running (something I had already experienced). Lol

[Hittntheroad]

On mine, engine off key out to operate the slides and overhead bunk. Probably a safety item to keep someone from running the slide out or dropping the bunk down going down the road.
Also if you have the jacks down and put it in gear, the jacks come up immediately.

[wa8yxm]

Three answers
Some motor homes (IE: Mine) Engine running slides no move
Some. Engine running slide moves
Some Engine off slide moves (Again mine)
Some engine off slides no move
Some, It does not matter

And if yours is the latter the choice is yours.

[noeldale]

Engine off.

[530ktm]

There you have it, I suggest you read your manual or get one for your equipment if you do not have one because as you can see you have a couple of choices, either have the engine running or not have it running. Mine is like many others, it calls for the engine to be running when operating the slides or jacks.